Electric shaver and cleaning system therefor

ABSTRACT

In a cleaning system for cleaning hair clippings from the interior space of an electric shaver, a shaver support is provided for supporting the electric shaver during operation of the cleaning system. A pressure vessel defines a source of cleaning gas for cleaning hair clippings from the interior of the shaver and is in fluid communication with a gas delivery assembly that receives cleaning gas from the pressure vessel. The gas delivery assembly comprises at least one nozzle assembly configured and arranged for directing cleaning gas received from the pressure vessel to flow directly into the interior space of the shaver. In one embodiment the pressure vessel is cartridge that is removeable from the cleaning system for refilling or replacement.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/606,384 filed Aug. 31, 2004.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to electric dry shavers, and moreparticularly to automated cleaning systems for such shavers.

BACKGROUND

Over the last several years, both men and women have been increasinglydrawn to the advantages provided by electric dry shavers. In general,the use of razors or other wet shaving systems is inconvenient forremoving or shaving long hair and/or short hair or stubble, as commonlyfound in men's beards and women's legs. In addition, with the everincreasing time constraints and commitments individuals typicallyencounter, a fast and effective shaving system is most desirable.

The discomfort as well as the time consumed in using shaving creams,soaps and gels associated with using a razor type shaver requires moretime and inconvenience than many individuals are willing to or arecapable of experiencing. The cost of maintaining a sufficient supply ofthese products can create an additional burden. Consequently, electricdry shavers, which are operable from an electrical outlet or may bebattery powered, have gained in popularity.

Two of the more common electric dry shaver constructions are typicallyreferred to as foil type shavers (or foil shavers) and rotary typeshavers (or rotary shavers). In a foil shaver, a reciprocating cuttingblade cooperates with a thin, flexible mesh screen or apertured foil,while a rotary shaver employs one or more (typically three)circular-shaped cutting blades, each cooperating with a respectivecircular-shaped mesh screen or apertured foil (commonly referred to as ashaving head).

In operation, the cutting blades are rapidly and continuouslyreciprocally or rotationally moved past one side of the mesh screen orapertured foil, causing the cutting blades to repeatedly cross theplurality of openings formed in the screen or foil and provide avirtually continuous cutting action at each aperture. By slidinglyguiding the other side of the mesh screen or apertured foil over theskin surface to be shaved, individual hair shafts enter the openingsformed in the screen or foil and are cut by the reciprocating orrotating cutting blades. The cut hairs are typically collected in theinterior of the shaver.

One inconvenience associated with both foil and rotary type electric dryshavers is the necessity to intermittently clean debris (i.e., hairclippings) from the interior of the shaver. This typically requiresopening the shaver, often by separating the mesh screens or foils (alongwith any mounting or support structure therefore) from the shaver, togain access to the interior space. To eliminate the need for individualsto manually open and clean out the interior of the shaver, prior artsystems have been developed which provide an automated cleaning system.

There is a need, therefore, for a cleaning system for cleaning anelectric dry shaver without having to open the shaver.

SUMMARY

A cleaning system according to one embodiment of the present inventionfor cleaning hair clippings from an electric shaver generally comprisesa shaver support for supporting the electric shaver during operation ofthe cleaning system, and a pressure vessel defining a source of cleaninggas for cleaning hair clippings from the interior of the shaver. A gasdelivery assembly is in fluid communication with the pressure vessel forreceiving cleaning gas from the pressure vessel. The gas deliveryassembly comprises at least one nozzle assembly configured and arrangedfor directing cleaning gas received from the pressure vessel to flowdirectly into the interior space of the shaver.

In another embodiment, the cleaning system generally comprises a housinghaving an opening for receiving at least part of the shaver therein, anda shaver support in the housing for supporting the electric shaverduring operation of the cleaning system. A cartridge is disposed atleast in part within the housing and defines a source of cleaning gasfor cleaning hair clippings from the interior of the shaver. Thecartridge is removeable from the cleaning system for refilling orreplacement of the cartridge. A gas delivery assembly is in fluidcommunication with the cartridge for receiving cleaning gas from thecartridge. The gas delivery assembly comprises at least one nozzleassembly configured and arranged for directing cleaning gas receivedfrom the pressure vessel to flow into the interior space of the shaver.

In one embodiment of a combination electric shaver and cleaning systemfor cleaning hair clippings from the electric shaver, the electricshaver generally comprises an outer cutting member for contact with auser's skin and having openings therein for receiving hairstherethrough. The outer cutting member at least in part defines aninterior space of the shaver in which hair clippings accumulate. Aninner cutting member is disposed within the interior space of the shaverand is moveable relative to the outer cutting member to cut hairsreceived through the openings in the outer cutting member. The shaverhas at least one inlet port other than the openings in the outer cuttingmember and in fluid communication with the interior space of the shaverfor receiving cleaning gas into the interior space of the shaver. Thecleaning system of the combination generally comprises a shaver supportfor supporting the electric shaver during operation of the cleaningsystem, and a pressure vessel defining a source of cleaning gas forcleaning hair clippings from the interior space of the shaver. A gasdelivery assembly is in fluid communication with the pressure vessel forreceiving cleaning gas from the pressure vessel. The gas deliveryassembly comprises at least one nozzle assembly configured and arrangedfor directing cleaning gas from the pressure vessel to flow directlyinto the interior space of the shaver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cleaning system ofthe present invention for cleaning an electric shaver, with an electricshaver of the present invention inserted in the cleaning system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning system of FIG. 1 with theelectric shaver removed from the cleaning system;

FIG. 3A is a side elevation of the cleaning system and shaver of FIG. 1with a panel member of the cleaning system housing removed to revealinternal components of the cleaning system;

FIG. 3B is a side elevation of the opposite side of the cleaning systemand shaver of FIG. 1 with the opposite panel member removed to revealinternal components of the cleaning system;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective of the cleaning system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electric rotary shaver according toone embodiment of the present invention for use with the cleaning systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of a shaver support of thecleaning system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6B is another exploded perspective view of the shaver support, anda filter assembly of the cleaning system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cleaning systemof the present invention, and an electric foil shaver according to asecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the electric foil shaver of FIG. 7removed from the cleaning system;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a third embodiment of a cleaning system ofthe present invention, with a side panel of the cleaning system housingremoved to reveal internal components of the cleaning system;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of acleaning system of the present invention for cleaning an electricshaver, with an electric shaver of the present invention inserted in thecleaning system;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cleaning system of FIG. 10 with theelectric shaver removed from the cleaning system;

FIG. 12A is a side elevation of the cleaning system and shaver of FIG.10 with a portion of the cleaning system housing removed to revealinternal components of the cleaning system;

FIG. 12B is a side elevation of the opposite side of the cleaning systemand shaver of FIG. 1 with a portion of the cleaning system housingremoved to reveal internal components of the cleaning system;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective of the cleaning system of FIG. 11,with flow conduits omitted;

FIG. 14 is a perspective of a portion of the cleaning system of FIG. 11including a cartridge retainer, valve and metering device of thecleaning system;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the cleaning system components of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15A is a cross-section taken in the plane of line 15A-15A of FIG.15, with a lever of the cleaning system in a raised position;

FIG. 15B is a cross-section similar to FIG. 15A but with the lever movedpartially toward a lowered position thereof; and

FIG. 16 is a side elevation of the cleaning system components of FIG.14.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, oneembodiment of a cleaning system of the present invention for cleaning anelectric dry shaver is generally designated 20 and is illustrated asbeing constructed for use in cleaning an electric rotary shaver 200constructed in accordance with one embodiment of a shaver of the presentinvention. As seen best in FIG. 5, the rotary shaver 200 generallycomprises a handle portion 202 housing various operating components ofthe shaver such as a motor (not shown) and suitable drive gear (notshown) and a cutting assembly, generally indicated at 204, releasablyconnected to the handle portion 202. The cutting assembly 204 of theillustrated rotary shaver 200 particularly comprises a support frame 206that is releasably connected to the handle portion 202 of the shaver andtogether with the handle defines an interior hair pocket 208 (broadly aninterior space of the shaver) in which hair clippings are collectedduring shaving.

Shaving heads 210 (broadly, outer cutting members of the shaver) in theform of circular or cup-shaped foils having openings therein are setwithin and extend outward of the support frame 206 for contact of theouter surfaces of the shaving heads with the user's skin during shaving.The shaving heads 210 also in part define the hair pocket 208. A guardring 211 encircles the annular sidewall of each shaving head 210 iscontact therewith. Suitable cutting blades (not shown) (broadly, innercutting members of the shaver) are disposed within the hair pocket inabutting but slidable relationship with the interior surfaces (sometimesalso referred to as the track surfaces) of the respective shaving heads210. The cutting blades are drivingly connected to the shaver motor viathe drive gear for being rotatably driven relative to the shaving heads210.

In operation of the shaver 200, as the outer surfaces of the shavingheads 210 are moved by the user over the surface of the skin, hairs(e.g., whiskers) enter openings in the shaving heads and extend into thehair pocket 208. As the cutting blades rotate relative to the innersurfaces of the shaving heads 210, the shearing action between thecutting blades and the edges of the shaving heads at the openingsthereof shears the hairs that extend through the openings in the shavingheads. The hair clippings then accumulate within the hair pocket 208.The construction and operation of the rotary shaver 200 as describedheretofore is known to those skilled in the art and need not bedescribed further except to the extent necessary to set forth thepresent invention.

For purposes of describing the present invention, the shaving heads 210are referred to herein as being at a downstream end of the shaver 200and the distal end 212 of the handle portion 202 (i.e., opposite the endat which the shaving heads are located) is referred to herein as beingat an upstream end of the shaver. Accordingly, the cutting blades andhair pocket 208 of the shaver 200 are considered herein to be upstreamof the shaving heads 210 and the handle portion 202 is upstream of thecutting blades.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, each guard ring 211 surroundinga respective shaving head 210 has indentations 213 formed in the outersurface of the guard ring 211 in closely spaced relationship with eachother about the circumference thereof to provide space between the guardring and the support frame 206 through which air and hair clippings canexit the shaver as described later herein.

The rotary shaver 200 illustrated in FIG. 5 also further comprises threeinlet ports 255 (two are visible in FIG. 5) extending transverselyinward through the side of the support frame 206 of the cutting assembly204 for fluid communication with the hair pocket 208 of the shaver. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the inlet ports 255 are suitably disposedupstream of the cutting blades. However, it is contemplated that theinlet ports 255 may be disposed downstream of the cutting blades, andmay even be disposed in and extend longitudinally through the end faceof the support frame 206, as long as the inlet ports are in fluidcommunication with the hair pocket 208. It is alternatively contemplatedthat the inlet ports 255 may be disposed in the handle portion 202 ofthe shaver 200 without departing from the scope of this invention, aslong as the inlet ports are in fluid communication with the hair pocket208. A raised guide member 257 projects out from the side of the cuttingassembly support frame 206 and handle portion 202 of the shaver 200 andpartially surrounds each inlet port 255 for purposes which will becomeapparent.

A sealing member 215, is disposed in the handle portion (although it mayinstead be in the cutting assembly, about the breakline along which thecutting assembly separates from the handle portion of the shaver.Accordingly, the hair pocket 206 of the shaver is substantially sealedother than at the inlet ports 255, the shaving heads 210 andindentations 213 in the guard rings 211.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the cleaning system 20 comprises a housing,generally indicated at 22, for housing various components of the system.The housing 22 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured to generally define abase portion 24 having an opening 26 in the upper surface thereof toreceive the shaver into the base portion for cleaning, and an upstandingportion 28 extending up from the base portion at the rear thereof andhaving a pocket 30 formed therein for receiving the distal (e.g.,upstream) end 212 of the shaver. The housing 22 is illustrated as athree-piece construction (as seen best in FIG. 4) including a bottompanel 32 and mateable left and a right side panels 34, 36 wherein thebottom panel and side panels together define an interior space 38 (FIGS.3A and 3B) of the housing. It is understood, though, that the housing 22may instead be constructed of more or less than three pieces and/or mayhave any number of suitable configurations other than the configurationillustrated in FIG. 1 without departing from the scope of the invention.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 6A, a shaver support, generallyindicated at 40, is disposed within the interior space 38 of the housing22 generally at and below the opening 26 in the base portion 24 thehousing for supporting the shaver 200 during cleaning. The shaversupport 40 has a central opening 42 in registry with the opening 26 inthe base portion 24 of the housing 22 for receiving the shaver down intothe shaver support. The illustrated shaver support 40 comprises asupport member 44 having a central plate 46 that includes openings 48therein corresponding to the number of shaving heads 210 of the shaver200 (e.g., three openings are shown in the plate of FIG. 6A andcorrespond to the three shaving heads (e.g., foils) of the rotary shavershown in FIG. 5). These openings 48 are suitably sized at least as largeas the planar (e.g., transverse) dimensions of the shaving heads 210.However, it is contemplated that the openings 48 may be slightly smalleror larger than the planar dimensions of the shaving heads 210 withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention.

A stop 50 is formed on the upper surface of the support member centralplate 46 for limiting the depth to which the shaver 200 may be insertedinto the shaver support 40. The illustrated stop 50 suitably comprises acentral post that extends up from the central plate 46 generally at thecenter thereof or otherwise at a location that corresponds to theportion of the cutting assembly support frame 206 between the shavingheads 210 upon insertion of the shaver 200 into the shaver support 40.Tapered ribs 52 extend transversely out from the central post 50 toprovide further support to the shaver 200. The shaver support 40 alsohas a generally annular side wall 54 extending up from the peripheraledge of the central plate 46 so that the central plate and side walltogether broadly define a seat for a sealing member, generally indicatedat 56, of the shaver support. The side wall 54 protrudes transverselyout from the central plate 46 at three different locations about theperiphery thereof to form openings 58, the purpose of which will becomeapparent.

With reference to FIG. 6B, an annular inner flange 60 depends from thecentral plate 46 of the support member 44 slightly outward of theshaving head openings 48. A segmented outer flange 62 also depends fromthe central plate 46 in transversely spaced relationship with theannular inner flange 60 to define an annular gap 64 therebetween. Asuitable sealing ring (not shown) seats within the annular gap 64 andseats down against a rim 66 (FIG. 4) of a tubular filter assemblyhousing 67 (FIG. 4) that is formed integrally with and extends up fromthe bottom panel 32 of the cleaning system housing 22, with the innerflange 60 of the support member 44 disposed within the filter assemblyhousing and the outer flange 62 disposed exterior of the filter assemblyhousing. Openings 68 formed in the central plate 46 align withinternally threaded fastener posts 70 formed integrally with the filterassembly housing 67 to allow securement of the shaver support 40 to thefilter assembly housing with suitable screw fasteners (not shown). Anopening (not shown) is formed in the bottom panel 32 of the cleaningsystem housing 22 to provide access to the interior of the filterassembly housing 67.

Referring back to FIG. 6A, the sealing member 56 is suitably molded fromrubber and has a central, generally triangular opening 72 (e.g., in partdefining the shaver support opening 42) to correspond with the generalperipheral shape of the cutting assembly 204 of the shaver 200, and moreparticularly with the general peripheral shape of the sidewall of thecutting assembly support frame 206. The opening 72 is thus suitablysized about equal to the circumference of the cutting assembly supportframe 206 so that the sealing member sealingly engages the periphery ofthe cutting assembly support frame when the shaver 200 is supported bythe shaver support 40. A guide member 74 extends up from the sealingmember 56 at the opening 72 and tapers slightly outward relative to theperipheral edge of the sealing member opening to guide the shaver 200into the proper location within the sealing member and down against thesupport member 44. Three notches 76 are formed in the peripheral edge ofthe sealing member 56 to leave uncovered the openings in the supportmember 44.

A cover plate 78 of the shaver support 40 seats down on the side wall ofthe support member 44 to retain the sealing member 56 in place betweenthe cover plate and the support member and has a central opening 80(also in part defining the shaver support opening 42) sized slightlylarger than the guide member 74 and aligned with the opening 26 in thebase portion 24 of the housing 22 for receiving the shaver 200 into theshaver support. In the illustrated embodiment, nozzle assembly mountingbrackets 82 are formed integrally with the cover plate 78 atintermittent positions about the periphery of the cover plate formounting respective nozzle assemblies, generally indicated at 84, on thecover plate. Each mounting bracket comprises an inner wall 86 extendingup from the cover plate 78 and having an opening 79 therethrough toallow fluid communication between the nozzle assembly 84 and the shaver200 as will be described. An outer wall 88 of each nozzle assemblymounting bracket 82 has an inward tapering slot 90 formed therein foruse in installing the nozzle assembly 84 into the mounting bracket andretaining the nozzle assembly in place following initial assembly. Sidewalls 92 of the mounting bracket 82 secure the nozzle assembly 84against transverse movement.

Each nozzle assembly 84 comprises an internally threaded fitting 94,e.g., a brass fitting, disposed within the nozzle assembly mountingbracket 82 for receiving cleaning gas into the nozzle assembly. Adelivery tube 96 extends transverse to the fitting 94 and is connectedto the fitting in fluid communication therewith. The delivery tube 96extends inward from the fitting 94 through the opening 79 in the innerwall 86 of the nozzle assembly mounting bracket 82 and has an exhaustport 98 (broadly, a nozzle assembly exhaust port) in the inner end ofthe tube to deliver cleaning gas from the nozzle assembly into arespective one of the inlet ports 255 of the shaver 200. A spring seat100 is mounted over the top of the fitting 94 and provides a seat forone end of a coil spring 102 (broadly, a biasing member) axially mountedon the delivery tube 96, with the opposite end of the spring seatingagainst the outer wall 88 of the nozzle assembly mounting bracket 82.The spring 102 suitably biases the nozzle assembly 84 (and in particularthe delivery tube 96) inward of the shaver support 40, e.g. toward theshaver support opening 42.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6B, a filter assembly, generally indicatedat 110, is disposed in the filter assembly housing 67, and is moresuitably releasably retained within the filter assembly housing. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 6B, the filter assembly 110 is generallycylindrical, or more specifically cup-shaped, and comprises an openframe-structure 112 having a base 114, a sidewall 116 and a rim 118.Mesh screening 120 or other suitable gas permeable material lines thebase 114 and sidewall 116 of the filter assembly 110. An annularconnecting member 122 extends about and is secured to the sidewall 116of the filter assembly 110 generally at the base 114 of theframe-structure 112. A cross-bar 124 is integrally formed with andextends across the connecting member 122 for use in gripping the filterassembly 110 to remove and install the filter assembly in the filterassembly housing 67.

A pair of pins 126 (one is shown in FIG. 6B) extend radially outward ofthe connecting member 122 and are sized for seating within respectivegrooves (not shown) formed in the inner surface of the filter assemblyhousing 67 upon rotation of the assembly relative to and within thefilter assembly housing to releasably secure the filter assemblytherein. In its installed position, the rim 118 of the filter assembly110 sealingly engages the sealing ring disposed in the gap 64 betweenthe flanges 60 and 62 depending from the central plate 46 of the shaversupport member 44 beneath the openings 48 formed in the central plate.It is understood that the filter assembly 110 may be configured otherthan as illustrated in FIG. 6B, as long as it is configured andpositioned within or otherwise releasably mounted on the cleaning systemhousing 22 to receive hair clippings directed out of the shaver 200 viathe shaving heads 210 as will be described. It is also understood thatthe frame-structure 112 of the filter assembly 110 may be omitted, e.g.,whereby the filter assembly comprises a bag-shaped filter material,without departing from the scope of this invention.

With reference now to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, also disposed within theinterior space 38 of the housing 22 is a pressure vessel (indicatedgenerally at 130) for containing pressurized cleaning gas, a pressurizedgas generating device (indicated generally at 132) for charging thepressure vessel with pressurized cleaning gas, and a gas deliveryassembly (indicated generally at 134) for delivering cleaning gas fromthe pressure vessel into the shaver 200. The term gas as used herein isintended to include gas and any other substance in a gaseous orotherwise aeriform state such as vapor, steam and the like. In onesuitable embodiment, the cleaning gas used to clean hair clippings fromthe shaver 200 suitably comprises air or a mixture thereof. It iscontemplated, however, that a gas or gas mixture such as a sterilizinggas or other suitable gas useful for cleaning or otherwise treatingmetal, ceramic and/or plastic components may be used without departingfrom the scope of this invention.

The pressurized gas generating device 132 of the illustrated embodimentsuitably comprises a compressor, e.g., comprised of a compressor pump136 and motor 138 for driving the pump. However, other pumps and/ordevices suitable for generating a pressurized gas in situ (e.g., mountedon or disposed within the cleaning system housing) may be used andremain within the scope of this invention. The pressure vessel 130 ofthe illustrated embodiment is in the form of a gas cylinder or canisteroriented in a generally upright orientation with the inlet/exhaust end140 of the gas cylinder facing downward. A support stand 141 is disposedwithin the housing 22 and mounted on the bottom panel 32 thereof tosupport the gas cylinder in its upright orientation. The inlet/exhaustend 140 of the gas cylinder extends down through the support stand 141so that the inlet/exhaust opening of the gas cylinder is disposed belowthe stand.

While the pressure vessel 130 is illustrated as being in a generallyvertical orientation, it is understood that the pressure vessel may behorizontal or oriented at substantially any angle, and/or that theinlet/exhaust opening may be other than at the bottom of the pressurevessel without departing from the scope of this invention. It is alsocontemplated that the pressure vessel 130 may be configured other thanas a cylinder as long as it is capable of containing pressurizedcontents. Moreover, the pressure vessel 130 may be held or otherwisesupported by or in the housing 22 other than by the support stand 141,such as by suitable brackets (not shown) or other suitable structure. Itis further contemplated that the pressure vessel 130 may be supported byor otherwise mounted on the exterior of the cleaning system housing 22.

In one embodiment the compressor (broadly, the pressurized gasgenerating device 132) is suitably operable to pressurize cleaning gaswithin the pressure vessel 130 to a predetermined operating pressure inthe range of about 125 psi to about 175 psi. The compressor may alsosuitably pressurize the cleaning gas within the pressure vessel 130 tothe predetermined operating pressure within about 30 to about 60 secondsof compressor operating time. The pressure vessel 130 (e.g., the gascylinder in the illustrated embodiment) is suitably sized to have avolume in the range of at least about 150 cubic centimeters (cc), andmore suitably in the range of about 100 cc to about 200 cc. However, thevolumetric capacity of the pressure vessel 130 may vary within the scopeof this invention depending on the desired cleaning duration and numberof cleanings to be conducted following filling of the pressure vessel.For example, the pressure vessel 130 of the illustrated embodiment isintended to be charged with pressurized cleaning gas and then completelyexhausted once for each cleaning of the shaver 200. However, thepressure vessel 130 may be sized to permit more than one cleaning of theshaver 200 before needing to be recharged by the pressurized gasgenerating device 132.

A suitable conduit 142 (indicated in FIG. 4 in dashed lines), such asflexible tubing, leads from the compressor to a T-connector 143 to whicha pressure sensor 144 is connected upstream from the pressure vessel 130(i.e., intermediate the compressor and pressure vessel). The termsupstream and downstream are used herein relative to the direction inwhich cleaning gas flows throughout the cleaning system 20 and shaver200, with the downstream direction referring to flow in a direction awayfrom the pressurized gas generating device 132. An additional conduit146 extends downstream from the T-connector 143 to another T-connector148 (FIG. 4). The T-connector 148 is also connected to the inlet/exhaustopening of the pressure vessel 130.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, a suitable conduit 150 extendsdownstream from the T-connector 148 and is connected at its other end tothe inlet of a suitable valve 152. In a particularly suitableembodiment, the valve 152 is a solenoid valve. For example, the solenoidvalve 152 may be operable between a closed position that blocks the flowof cleaning gas therethrough and an open position upon operation thereofto permit the flow of cleaning gas to the shaver 200. It is understood,however, that other suitable valves may be used to control the flow ofcleaning gas to the shaver 200 without departing from the scope of thisinvention. Another conduit 160 leads from an outlet of the valve 152downstream to a manifold 154. The manifold 154 comprises a single inlet156 and multiple outlets 158, such as one outlet for each nozzleassembly 84 (e.g., the manifold of the illustrated embodiment has threeoutlets corresponding to the three nozzle assemblies). Suitable conduits162 extend respectively from the manifold outlets 158 to thecorresponding nozzle assembly fittings 94.

Alternatively, the manifold 154 may comprise a tube (not shown) sizedand configured for encircling part or all of the shaver when the shaveris supported by the shaver support. While not shown in the drawings, itis contemplated that such a tube has a continuous inner channel and thatthe nozzles assemblies 84 are connected directly to the manifold 154 influid communication with the continuous inner channel such that cleaninggas received by the manifold is delivered throughout the entire channelfor flow directly to each of the nozzle assemblies.

The valve 152, manifold 154, nozzle assemblies 84 and related conduits150, 160 and 162 together thus broadly define the gas delivery assembly134 for delivering cleaning gas to the shaver 200, and more particularlyto the hair pocket 208 of the shaver. The pressurized gas generatingdevice 132 and pressure vessel 130 together broadly define a source ofcleaning gas, the gas delivery assembly 134 thus delivering cleaning gasfrom the source of cleaning gas to the hair pocket 208 of the shaver200. It is understood that the pressure vessel 130 may be omitted fromthe cleaning system 20, such that the source of cleaning gas comprisesonly the pressurized gas generator 132 (e.g., the compressor) anddelivers cleaning gas directly to the delivery assembly 134 uponoperation of the cleaning system without departing from the scope ofthis invention.

A suitable microprocessor control 164 is also disposed in the housing 22to control operation of the cleaning system 20. The control 164 iselectrically connected to a remote source (not shown) of electricalcurrent via suitable wiring (not shown) and power cord (not shown).Alternatively, the source of electrical current may comprise one or morebatteries (not shown). A start button 166 (e.g., a conventional pushbutton arrangement) is accessible on the cleaning system housing 22 andis electrically connected to the control 164 for initiating operation ofthe cleaning system. The compressor motor and the solenoid valve 152 arealso electrically connected to the control 164.

As best seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a contact assembly 168 comprises asupport arm 170 pivotally mounted in the upstanding portion 28 of theshaver housing 22, generally at the pocket 30 formed therein.Electrically conductive contact pins 172 are held in assembly with theouter end of the arm 170 and extend outward of the housing 22 generallyinto the pocket 30 formed in the upstanding portion 28 of the housing.Coil springs 174 are operatively connected to the support arm 170 topivotally bias the arm in a direction in which the contact pins 172 areurged generally outward and downward relative to the upstanding portion28 of the housing 22. The contact pins 172 are positioned forelectrically conductive contact with corresponding pins (not shown)disposed at the distal (e.g., upstream) end 212 of the shaver 200 uponinsertion of the shaver into the cleaning system 20. The contact pins172 are electrically connected to the control 164 by suitable wiring(not shown).

In operation, a shaver to be cleaned, such as the rotary shaver 200illustrated in FIG. 5, is inserted, cutting assembly 204 (e.g., thedownstream end of the illustrated embodiment) first, through the baseportion opening 26 and shaver support opening 42 down into the shaversupport 40 until the cutting assembly of the shaver seats down againstthe stop 50 of the support member 44. In this position, the shavingheads 210 are aligned with the openings 48 in the central plate 46 andthe sealing member 56 sealingly engages the periphery of the side wallof the cutting assembly support frame 206. As the shaver 200 is inserteddown into the shaver support 40, the outward taper of the support frame206 side wall contacts the outlet ends of the nozzle assemblies 84 andurges the nozzle assemblies outward relative to the shaver and shaversupport against the bias of the nozzle assembly springs 102.

As the shaver 200 is inserted further down to the stop 50 of the shaversupport member 44, the outlet ends of the nozzle assemblies 84 come intoalignment with the inlet ports 255 of the shaver. In this position, thenozzle assembly springs 102 urge the nozzle assemblies 84 back inwardtoward the shaver support opening 42 so that the exhaust ports 98 of thenozzle assemblies are aligned with and adjacent to or even slightlydisposed within the inlet ports 255 of the shaver 200 to provide fluidcommunication between the hair pocket 210 of the shaver and the gasdelivery assembly 134 of the cleaning system 20. As an example, in theinserted position of the shaver 200, the exhaust ports 98 of the nozzleassemblies 84 are suitably within at least about 0.25 inches, moresuitably about 0.1 inches of the inlet ports 255 of the shaver, stillmore suitably within at least about 0.05 inches of the inlet ports, andmost suitably the exhaust ports 98 are flush with or even slightlywithin the inlet ports of the shaver.

While the nozzle assemblies 84 of the illustrated embodiment are urgedoutward relative to the shaver 200 by the outward taper of the cuttingassembly support frame 206 upon insertion of the shaver into the shaversupport 40, it is understood that other shaver configurations may beused to effect such outward urging of the nozzle assemblies. Forexample, it is contemplated that an annular ridge (not shown) mayencircle each of the inlet ports 255 of the shaver 200 such that theannular ridge urges the nozzle assembly 84 outward relative to theshaver upon insertion of the shaver into the shaver support. As theshaver 200 is urged further down into the shaver support 40, the inletports 255 of the shaver come into alignment with the exhaust ports 98 ofthe nozzle assemblies 84. It is also contemplated that the nozzleassemblies 84 need not be urged outward at all upon insertion of theshaver 200 into the shaver support 40 and remain within the scope ofthis invention, as long as the inlet ports 255 align with the respectiveexhaust ports 98 of the nozzle assemblies upon full insertion of theshaver into the shaver support.

With the shaver 200 seated in the shaver support 40, the shaver isleaned back toward the upstanding portion 28 of the housing 22, urgingthe distal end 212 (e.g., the upstream end) of the shaver into thepocket 30 formed in the housing. The distal end 212 of the shaver 200contacts the contact pins 172 mounted on the pivotable support arm 170.The contour of the distal end 212 of the shaver 200 urges the arm 170 topivot against the bias of the spring 174 until the contact pins 172 arealigned with the opening (not shown) in the end of the shaver. Thespring 174 urges the arm 170 to pivot back toward its initial positionto urge the contact pins 172 into the opening in the distal end 212 ofthe shaver for electrical contact with the corresponding pins in theshaver to electrically connect the shaver to the cleaning system 20.

The valve 152 is suitably initially in its closed configuration (e.g.,prior to a cleaning operation) to inhibit cleaning gas from flowingdownstream of the valve to the manifold 154 and nozzle assemblies 84. Toclean hair clippings from the shaver 200, the start button 166 isdepressed to signal the control 164, following which the controlelectrically operates the compressor to charge the pressure vessel 130via the conduits 142, 146 between the compressor and pressure vessel.Cleaning gas also flows downstream of the pressure vessel via conduit150 to the closed valve. The control 164 operates the compressor for apredetermined time period intended to pressurize the gas in the vessel130 to a predetermined pressure, or within a predetermined pressurerange. The pressure sensor 144 monitors the gas pressure in the vessel130 and in the event that the pressure exceeds a predetermined maximumpressure, gas is bled from the system 20 (such as through a conventionalpressure release valve (not shown)) to inhibit over pressurization.

Once the compressor operation cycle is completed, the compressor isdeactivated and the control 164 sends a signal to the valve 152 toenergize the valve to configure the valve in its open configuration.Pressurized cleaning gas stored in the pressure vessel 132 flows rapidlyfrom the pressure vessel through the conduits 150, 160 and valve 152 tothe manifold 154. The cleaning gas subsequently flows from the manifold154 to the nozzle assemblies 84 and is delivered through the exhaustports 98 of the nozzle assemblies and corresponding inlet ports 255 ofthe shaver 200 into the hair pocket 208 of the shaver. In particular, inthe illustrated embodiment the cleaning gas is delivered into the hairpocket 208 of the shaver 200 upstream of the cutting blades and shavingheads 210. The cleaning gas flows out of the shaver 200 through theopenings in the shaving heads 210 and through the indentations 213formed in the guard rings 211 surrounding the shaving heads, passingover the cutting blades on the way. Hair clippings accumulated in thehair pocket 208 and on the shaving heads 210 become entrained in the gasstream and are carried out of the shaver 200 with the cleaning gas,thereby leaving a cleaned out hair pocket and clean cutting blades andshaving heads. Because the hair pocket is otherwise sealed, hairclippings are inhibiting against becoming trapped or stuck in smallcracks or other openings through which gas would be exhausted if not forsealing the hair pocket.

The flow of cleaning gas carries the entrained hair clippings exitingthe shaving heads 210 down into the filter assembly 110. Cleaning gascontinues through the filter assembly 110 and is exhausted from thecleaning system 20 via the exhaust opening in the bottom panel 32 of thehousing 22. Hair clippings are trapped in the filter assembly 110 andretained therein until the filter assembly is removed from the cleaningsystem 20 and either cleaned or replaced.

In one embodiment, the shaver 200 is activated during the cleaningoperation. In this way, the cutting blades are moved in their normalmanner as the cleaning gas flows from the inlet ports 255 through thehair pocket 208 and out the shaving heads 210. However, it is understoodthat operating the shaver 200 during the cleaning cycle is not required.The shaver 200 is shut off by the system 20 once the cleaning cycle iscomplete.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a cleaning system320 and shaver 500. The shaver 500 of this embodiment is suitably a foilshaver similar to conventional foil shavers in that it has a handleportion 502, a cutting assembly 504 releasably connected to the handleportion, and an interior hair pocket (not shown) defined by the cuttingassembly and handle portion. The cutting assembly comprises a supportframe 506 and an apertured foil 510 (broadly, an outer cutting member)supported by the frame. A cutting blade (not shown) (broadly, an innercutting member) is disposed within the hair pocket in driving connectionwith the gear drive and motor of the shaver 500 and abutting against thefoil 510 for reciprocating, sliding movement relative to the foil to cuthair that extends through the apertures in the foil.

The shaver 500 has a set of three inlet ports 555 and correspondingguide members 557 on the rear of the cutting assembly 504, similar tothe inlet ports 255 and guide members 257 of the rotary shaver of FIG.5. Alternatively, or additionally, inlet ports and corresponding guidemembers may be disposed in the front of the shaver 500 and/or on thelaterally opposite sides of the shaver.

The cleaning system 320 of this alternative embodiment is constructedand operates substantially the same as the cleaning system 20 with theexception that the shaver support opening 342 is configured inaccordance with the more rectangular-shaped periphery of the foil shavercutting assembly 504.

In another alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 9, the shaver 800is a rotary shaver substantially identical to the rotary shaver 200 ofFIG. 5. The cleaning system 620 comprises substantially all of the sameoperating components as the cleaning system 20 of FIGS. 1-6, with theaddition of a sealing panel 780 disposed within the housing 622 inspaced relationship above the bottom panel 632 to define a vacuumchamber 782. The filter assembly 710 extends down into the vacuumchamber 782 to provide fluid communication between the vacuum chamberand the filter assembly (and hence the hair pocket of the shaver 800).

The vacuum chamber 782 is vented by suitable vent openings 784 formed inthe housing 622. A fan unit 786 (broadly, a vacuum generating device)comprising a suitable motor 788 and fan blade assembly 790 is disposedin the vacuum chamber 782. In operation, the fan unit 786 is operated bythe control 764 while the valve (not shown but substantially the same asthe valve 152 of FIG. 4) is open. In this manner, negative air pressureis produced in vacuum chamber 782, assisting in providing a low-pressurezone in the vacuum chamber for more rapidly drawing the pressurized airin the hair pocket of shaver 800 into filter assembly 34 for subsequentexhaustion from the housing 622 via vent openings 784.

FIGS. 10-16 illustrate another embodiment of a cleaning system,indicated generally at 1020, of the present invention. While thecleaning system 1020 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 10 as beingconfigured and used for cleaning a rotary shaver 1200 similar to therotary shaver 200 of FIG. 5, it is understood that the cleaning systemmay be configured and used for cleaning a foil shaver (not shown) suchas the foil shaver 500 illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The cleaning system1020 of this embodiment comprises a three-piece housing 1022 similar tothe housing 22 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, including side panels1034, 1036 and a bottom panel 1032. The bottom panel 1032 of thisembodiment has an integrally formed, upward extending sidewall 1037about its periphery. The side panels 1034, 1036 seat on and are securedto the sidewall 1037 of the bottom panel 1032. However, it is understoodthat the housing 1022 may be constructed other than as illustrated inFIG. 10 without departing from the scope of this invention.

The housing 1022 generally has a base portion 1024, an upstandingportion 1028 and an opening 1026 in the base portion for receiving thecutting assembly (not shown, but similar to the cutting assembly 204 ofthe shaver 200 of FIG. 5) of the shaver 1200 into the cleaning system1020. An arm 1029 extends forward from the top of the upstanding portion1028 of the housing 1022 and together with the upstanding portiondefines a pocket 1030 in which the distal, or upstream end 1212 of theshaver 1200 seats in the cleaning system 1020 as shown in FIG. 10. Apair of guides 1039 are formed integrally with the arm 1029 andupstanding portion 1028 to further define the pocket 1030. The guides1039 positively seat the end 1212 of the shaver 1200 into the pocket1030 and inhibit movement of the shaver once it is properly positionedin the cleaning system 1020.

With particular reference to FIGS. 12A, 12B and 13, within the interior1038 of the housing 1022 is a shaver support 1040 and filter assembly1110 constructed substantially similar to the shaver support 40 andfilter assembly 110 illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B and describedpreviously. A manifold 1154 and set of nozzle assemblies 1084 are alsoconstructed substantially similar to the manifold 154 and nozzleassemblies 84 of FIGS. 4 and 6A. It is understood, however, that theshaver support 1040, filter assembly 1110, manifold 1154 and/or nozzleassemblies 84 may be constructed other than as illustrated in FIGS. 4,6A and 6B without departing from the scope of this invention, as long asthe nozzle assemblies are configured and arranged to direct gas directlyinto the inlet ports (not shown but similar to the inlet ports 255 inthe shaver 200 of FIG. 5) of the shaver.

In this embodiment, a source of cleaning gas is broadly defined by apressure vessel 1130 suitable for containing a pressurized fluid thatexits the pressure vessel as a gas. As one example, the pressurizedfluid may comprise a pressurized gas such as compressed air or othersuitable gas as described previously. In another example the pressurizedfluid may comprise steam. In yet another suitable example thepressurized fluid can comprise a compressed liquid that upondecompression as it exits the pressure vessel 1130 vaporizes to agaseous state. In one particularly suitable embodiment the pressurizedfluid is liquid carbon dioxide.

The pressure vessel 1130 of the illustrated embodiment comprises acartridge 1300 that is releasably held by the cleaning system 1020 topermit removal of the cartridge from the cleaning system for refillingor replacement once the cartridge is empty. The cartridge 1300 has aneck 1302 and an opening 1304 at the top of the neck through which thepressurized fluid is exhausted from the cartridge in a gaseous state.Prior to initial insertion of the cartridge 1300 into the cleaningsystem 1020 in a manner to be described, a sealing membrane (not shown),such as a conventional metal skin, covers the opening 1304 to seal thepressurized fluid within the cartridge.

An access opening 1306 is provided in the bottom panel 1032 of thehousing 1022 to permit insertion and removal of the cartridge 1300 intoor out of the housing. The bottom panel 1306 is internally threaded atthe opening 1306 and a suitable closure 1308 having external threads isconfigured for threaded engagement with the bottom panel in the openingto close the cartridge 1300 within the housing 1022 during use. A grip1310 is formed integrally with the outer face of the closure 1308 tofacilitate manual turning of the closure relative to the bottom panel1032 to fasten or unfasten the closure. Alternatively, it iscontemplated that the cartridge 1300 may be in part or wholly externalof and supported by the housing or other cleaning system components andremain within the scope of this invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, cartridge retaining structure, generallyindicated at 1312, is disposed within the interior 1038 of the cleaningsystem housing 1022 to receive the cartridge 1300 upon loading it intothe cleaning system. The retaining structure 1312 comprises a pair ofsupport posts 1314 secured to the inner surface of the bottom panel 1032of the cleaning system housing 1022 by suitable fasteners (not shown).The cartridge retaining structure 1312 further comprises a valve support1316 formed integrally with and centrally supported by the support posts1314, and having a bore 1318 extending longitudinally therethrough. Avalve 1320 is secured within a widened longitudinally outer segment ofthe valve support bore 1318 and has a central valve passage 1322extending longitudinally therethrough in coaxial relationship and influid communication with the bore extending through the valve support1316.

The valve passage 1322 widens toward a longitudinally outer end of thevalve 1320 to define a seat 1324 for receiving the neck 1302 of thecartridge 1300 into the valve. A piercing tube 1326 is formed integrallywith the valve 1320 where the valve passage 1322 widens, and extendscentrally down into the widened portion of the valve passage adjacentthe outer end of the valve. A suitable annular sealing member 1328 seatsagainst a shoulder 1330 defined by the widened portion of the valvepassage 1322, in sealing relationship with the outer surface of thepiercing tube 1326. The piercing tube 1326 is thus open at its outer endto the widened portion of the valve passage 1322 and is open at itsinner end to the narrower portion of the valve passage for fluidcommunication therewith.

A suitable valve ball 1332 is disposed within the narrower portion ofthe valve passage 1322 for axial movement therein. The inner end of thevalve 1320 tapers slightly inward of the valve passage 1322 to retainthe ball within the valve and to define a seat against which the ballsits in a closed configuration (seen best in FIG. 15A) of the valve toseal the valve closed. A plunger 1336 is disposed within the bore 1318of the valve support 1316 inward of the inner end of the valve 1320. Theplunger 1336 is suitably moveable relative to the valve 1320 for movingthe ball 1332 away from its closed configuration, e.g., away from theseat defined by the tapered inner end of the valve, to an openconfiguration (FIG. 15B) of the valve. The illustrated plunger 1336comprises a pin 1338 sized for receipt within the narrowed portion ofthe valve passage 1322 at the inner end of the valve 1320, and a head1340 having an annular groove 1342 therein and a sealing ring 1344disposed within the groove for sealing engagement with the valve support1316 within the valve support bore 1318.

The outer end of the pin 1338 has longitudinal grooves 1346 formedtherein to facilitate gas flow past the pin when the valve 1320 is openduring cleaning. An outlet port 1348 (FIG. 14) is formed in the side ofthe valve support 1316 and extends transversely therethrough for fluidcommunication with the valve support bore 1318 between the inner end ofthe valve and the head 1340 of the plunger 1336. An outlet connector1350 is threadably connected at one end to the valve support 1316 at theoutlet port 1348 thereof and is connected at its opposite end to themanifold 1154 by a suitable conduit 1155 (indicated in dashed line inFIG. 13) to provide fluid communication between the valve 1320 and themanifold.

A pair of guide panels 1352 depend from, and in the illustratedembodiment are formed integrally with, the outer end of the valve 1320.The illustrated guide panels 1352 are in opposed relationship with eachother and are generally arcuate in cross-section in accordance with theshape of the cartridge 1300 for properly aligning the neck 1302 of thecartridge with the seat 1324 at the outer end of the valve 1320 uponinsertion of the cartridge through the bottom panel opening 1306 intothe cleaning system housing 1022.

To load the cartridge 1300 into the cleaning system 1020, the closure1308 is removed from the bottom panel 1032 and the cartridge isinserted, neck 1302 first, through the opening 1306 into the interior1038 of the housing 1022. The guide panels 1352 properly align andmaintain the orientation of the cartridge 1300 so that the neck 1302 ofthe cartridge is axially aligned with and received within the valve seat1324. The closure 1308 is then threadably fastened to the bottom panel1032 to close the cartridge 1300 within the cleaning system 1020. Uponfastening the closure 1308, the closure urges the cartridge 1300longitudinally further into the housing 1022 so that the piercing tube1326 pierces the sealing membrane covering the cartridge opening 1304 toprovide fluid communication between the cartridge and the valve 1320.

The cleaning system 1020 of this alternative embodiment furthercomprises a metering device, generally indicated at 1354, operativelyconnected to the valve 1320 to meter the volume of pressurized fluidreleased from the cartridge. This prevents the valve 1320 from beinginadvertently held open to fully expend the contents of the cartridge1300. It is understood, however, that the cartridge 1300 may besubstantially any size depending on the desired duration of eachcleaning and the number of cleanings before refilling or replacement. Itis also contemplated that the cleaning system 1020 may be configured tohave two or more cartridges 1300 therein to further increase the numberof cleanings before the cartridges need refilling or replacement.

The metering device 1354 generally comprises a lever 1356 and a cam 1358operatively connected to the lever and configured for moving the plunger1336 to open the valve 1320. As seen best in FIG. 14, a pair of uprightframe members 1360 are formed integrally with and extend up from thevalve support 1316 in opposed relationship with each other. The lever1356 is pivotally secured between the frame members 1360 by a suitablepin 1362 that extends transversely through the lever and frame members.The outer end of the lever 1356 is disposed exterior of the housing 1022and has a grip 1364 secured thereto for ease of gripping and actuatingthe lever between a raised position (FIGS. 12A and 15A) and an actuated,lowered positioned (a partially lowered position of the lever is shownin FIG. 15B). A biasing member, such as a suitable coil spring 1366, isconnected at one end to a flange member 1368 formed integrally with thevalve support 1316, and at its opposite end to the inner end of thelever 1356 to bias the lever toward its raised position.

The cam 1358 is mounted on the pin 1362 along with the lever 1356 forrotation on the axis of the pin. As seen best in FIGS. 14 and 15A, thecam 1358 has a plurality of bumps 1370 spaced equidistant from eachother about the cam surface 1372, with each bump corresponding to asingle cleaning event of the cleaning system 1020. The cam 1358 issuitably positioned with the cam surface 372 in opposed relationshipwith the plunger head 1340 such that the plunger 1336 acts generally inthe manner of a cam follower. That is, rotation of the cam 1358 effectstranslational movement of the plunger 1336 to open the valve 1320. Aratchet wheel 1374 is formed integrally with the cam 1358 and cooperateswith a pawl 1376 that is pivotally mounted on the lever 1356 between themounting pin 1362 and the lever grip 1364 to operatively connect thelever 1356 with the cam, e.g., so that depression of the lever effectsrotation of the cam. As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 16, the pawl 1376 ismounted on the lever by a suitable fastener 1378. A torque spring 1380operatively connects the pawl 1376 with the lever 1356 to bias the pawltoward an initial position (FIG. 16) in the raised position of thelever.

In operation of the cleaning system of FIGS. 10-16 to clean the shaver1200, the shaver is inserted into the cleaning system 1020 insubstantially the same manner described previously for the cleaningsystem 20 of FIG. 1. In the raised position (seen best in FIG. 15A) ofthe lever 1356, the portion of the cam surface 1358 between bumps 1370is positioned above the plunger head 1340. In this position, the valveball 1332 is urged by pressurized fluid from the cartridge 1300 inwardagainst the inner end of the valve 1320 to configure the valve in itsclosed configuration. Accordingly, the plunger 1336 is urged inward(e.g., by the valve ball 1332) so that the plunger head 1340 seatsbetween consecutive bumps 1370 of the cam surface 1372, and mayoptionally contact the cam surface between the bumps as illustrated inFIG. 15A.

Downward pressure is applied to the lever grip 1364, such as by one ormore of the user's fingers, to pivot the lever 1356 on the axis of thepin 1362 against the bias of the spring 1366 toward the lowered positionof the lever. As the lever 1356 is pivoted, the pawl 1376 acts againstthe ratchet wheel 1374 to conjointly rotate the ratchet wheel and cam1358 on the axis of the pin 1362. As shown in FIG. 15B, one of the bumps1370 on the cam surface 1372 rotates into contact with the plunger head1340 and urges the plunger 1336 inward (e.g., downward in theillustrated embodiment) thereby urging the valve ball 1332 away from theinner end of the valve 1320 to configure the valve in its openconfiguration. Pressurized fluid is exhausted from the cartridge 1300,in a gaseous state, through the piercing tube 1326, valve passage 1322,valve support bore 1318 and outlet connector 1350. The cleaning gas isthen delivered, via the conduit 1155 and manifold 1154, to the nozzleassemblies 1084 of the cleaning system 1020 for delivery into the hairpocket of the shaver 1200 in substantially the same manner as describedpreviously for the cleaning system 20 of FIG. 1.

Once the lever 1356 is fully depressed to its lowered position, the bump1370 on the cam surface 1372 has rotated past the plunger head 1340 sothat a portion of the cam surface between bumps is again aligned withthe plunger head. The pressurized fluid in the cartridge urges the valveball 1332 back to the closed configuration of the valve 1320, therebyurging the plunger 1336 outward such that the plunger head 1340 seatsbetween the cam surface bumps 1370. It is understood that the plungerhead 1340 need not seat against the cam surface 1372 between bumps 1370in the closed configuration of the valve 1320. For example, the plungerhead 1340 may be in spaced relationship with the cam surface 1372between bumps 1370, as long as the plunger head is positioned forcontact by and movement in response to the cam surface bumps to open thevalve 1320. The pawl 1376 is urged by the spring 1380 back to itsinitial position to engage the next tooth of the ratchet wheel 1374 sothat the cleaning system is ready for the next cleaning event.

The cleaning system 1020 illustrated in FIGS. 10-16 is thus manuallyoperated so that no electrical arrangement is needed. However, it iscontemplated that an electrical arrangement may be provided, such as thecontact assembly 168 and control 164 of the embodiment of FIGS. 3A, 3Band 4, for operating and/or charging the shaver 1200 when the shaver isin the cleaning system. In such an embodiment, the shaver 1200 may beturned on using the on/off button (not shown) of the shaver, a button(not shown but similar to the button 166 of the cleaning system 20 ofFIG. 1, or a switch (not shown) responsive to the lever 1356 beingactuated.

It is also contemplated that the metering device 1354 of the cleaningsystem 1020 of FIGS. 10-16 may be omitted without departing from thescope of this invention. For example, the lever 1356 may be operativelyconnected to the valve 1320 in any suitable manner such that actuationof the lever holds the valve open until the lever is released, givingthe user more control over the duration of each cleaning event.

It is further contemplated that the valve 1320 may be replaced by avalve (not shown) that is responsive to an electrical signal, such asthe solenoid valve 152 of the embodiment of FIG. 4, to open and closethe valve. In such an embodiment, the solenoid valve may be activated bydepression of the lever 1356 to open the valve 1320 until the lever isreleased. In another such embodiment, the lever 1356 may be omitted infavor of the button activated electrical arrangement of the embodimentof FIGS. 1-4, including the button 166, the control 164 and, optionally,the contact assembly 168. A timing circuit (not shown) is suitablyprovided as part of the control 164 to broadly define a metering device.That is, upon activating the cleaning system using the button 166 thetiming circuit signals the solenoid valve to open for a predeterminedduration and then close again.

When introducing elements of the present invention or preferredembodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methodswithout departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description and shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

1. A cleaning system for cleaning hair clippings from an electricshaver, said electric shaver having an interior space in which hairclippings accumulate during operation, said cleaning system comprising:a shaver support for supporting the electric shaver during operation ofthe cleaning system; a pressure vessel defining a source of cleaning gasfor cleaning hair clippings from the interior of the shaver; and a gasdelivery assembly in fluid communication with the pressure vessel forreceiving cleaning gas from the pressure vessel, said gas deliveryassembly comprising at least one nozzle assembly configured and arrangedfor directing cleaning gas received from the pressure vessel to flowdirectly into the interior space of the shaver.
 2. The cleaning systemset forth in claim 1 wherein the pressure vessel contains a pressurizedfluid adapted for exhaustion from the pressure vessel in a gaseous stateto define said cleaning gas.
 3. The cleaning system set forth in claim 2wherein the pressurized fluid in the container is compressed air.
 4. Thecleaning system set forth in claim 2 wherein the pressurized fluidcomprises a compressed gas in a liquid state whereby the compressed gasvaporizes upon decompression as it is exhausted from the pressure vesselto define said cleaning gas for cleaning hair clippings from theinterior of the shaver.
 5. The cleaning system set forth in claim 4wherein the pressurized fluid is liquid carbon dioxide.
 6. The cleaningsystem set forth in claim 1 wherein the gas delivery assembly furthercomprises a valve operable between a closed configuration in which thevalve blocks the flow of cleaning gas to the at least one nozzleassembly, and an open configuration in which cleaning gas is allowed toflow to the nozzle assembly for delivery into the interior space of theshaver.
 7. The cleaning system set forth in claim 6 wherein the valvecomprises a solenoid valve.
 8. The cleaning system set forth in claim 6further comprising a metering device operatively connected to the valvefor operating the valve between its open and closed configurations, themetering device being operable between a first configurationcorresponding to the closed configuration of the valve and a secondconfiguration corresponding to the open configuration of the valve fordelivering cleaning gas into the interior space of the shaver.
 9. Thecleaning system set forth in claim 1 wherein the shaver is of the typecomprising at least one outer cutting member for contact with a user'sskin and having openings therein for receiving hairs therethrough, andat least one inner cutting member disposed within the interior space ofthe shaver and movable relative to the outer cutting member to cut hairsreceived through the openings in the outer cutting member, the at leastone nozzle assembly of the cleaning system being configured and arrangedto direct cleaning gas into the interior space of the electric shaverother than through the openings in the at least one outer cuttingmember.
 10. The cleaning system set forth in claim 1 further comprisinga filter assembly for collecting hair clippings exhausted from theshaver during operation of the cleaning system.
 11. The cleaning systemset forth in claim 1 wherein the gas delivery assembly comprises atleast two of said nozzle assemblies, said gas delivery assembly furthercomprising a manifold in fluid communication with the pressure vesselfor receiving cleaning gas from said pressure vessel into said manifold,the nozzle assemblies being in fluid communication with the manifold forreceiving cleaning gas from the manifold for delivery into the interiorspace of the shaver.
 12. The cleaning system set forth in claim 1wherein the pressure vessel comprises a cartridge configured for beingreleasably held by the cleaning system.
 13. The cleaning system setforth in claim 1 further comprising a housing having an opening forreceiving the shaver at least partially within the housing, the shaversupport being at least in part in registry with the opening of thehousing, said pressure vessel and gas delivery assembly each beingdisposed at least in part within the housing.
 14. A combination electricshaver and cleaning system for cleaning hair clippings from the electricshaver, said electric shaver comprising: an outer cutting member forcontact with a user's skin and having openings therein for receivinghairs therethrough, the outer cutting member at least in part definingan interior space of the shaver in which hair clippings accumulate; andan inner cutting member within the interior space of the shaver andmoveable relative to the outer cutting member to cut hairs receivedthrough the openings of the outer cutting member, the shaver having atleast one inlet port other than the openings in said outer cuttingmember and in fluid communication with the interior space of the shaverfor receiving cleaning gas into said interior space; said cleaningsystem comprising a shaver support for supporting the electric shaverduring operation of the cleaning system; a pressure vessel defining asource of cleaning gas for cleaning hair clippings from the interiorspace of the shaver; and a gas delivery assembly in fluid communicationwith the pressure vessel for receiving cleaning gas from said pressurevessel, said gas delivery assembly comprising at least one nozzleassembly configured and arranged for directing cleaning gas from thepressure vessel to flow directly into the interior space of the shaver.15. The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein the outer cuttingmember of the shaver defines a downstream end of the shaver throughwhich cleaning gas received into the interior space of the shaver issubsequently exhausted along with the hair clippings, the inner cuttingmember of the shaver being upstream of the outer cutting member, the atleast one inlet port being disposed upstream of the outer cutting membersuch that cleaning gas enters the interior space of the shaver at saidat least one inlet port and flows downstream to the outer cutting memberfor exhaustion from the shaver.
 16. The combination set forth in claim15 wherein the at least one inlet port is disposed upstream of the innercutting member such that cleaning gas enters the interior space of theshaver at said at least one inlet port upstream of the inner cuttingmember and flows downstream over the inner cutting member to the outercutting member for exhaustion from the shaver.
 17. The combination setforth in claim 14 wherein the shaver comprises a rotary shaver.
 18. Thecombination set forth in claim 14 wherein the shaver comprises a foilshaver.
 19. The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein the gasdelivery assembly further comprises a valve intermediate the pressurevessel and the at least one nozzle assembly, said valve being operablebetween a closed configuration in which the valve blocks the flow ofcleaning gas to the at least one nozzle assembly, and an openconfiguration in which cleaning gas is allowed to flow to the nozzleassembly for delivery into the interior space of the shaver.
 20. Thecombination set forth in claim 19 wherein the valve comprises a solenoidvalve.
 21. The combination set forth in claim 19 further comprising ametering device operatively connected to the valve for operating thevalve between its open and closed configurations, the metering devicebeing operable between a first configuration corresponding to the closedconfiguration of the valve and a second configuration corresponding tothe open configuration of the valve for delivering cleaning gas into theinterior space of the shaver.
 22. The combination set forth in claim 12wherein the pressure vessel contains a pressurized fluid adapted forexhaustion from the pressure vessel in a gaseous state to define saidcleaning gas.
 23. The combination set forth in claim 22 wherein thepressurized fluid comprises compressed air.
 24. The combination setforth in claim 22 wherein the pressurized fluid comprises a compressedgas in a liquid state whereby the compressed gas vaporizes upondecompression as it is exhausted from the pressure vessel to define saidcleaning gas for cleaning hair clippings from the interior of theshaver.
 25. The combination set forth in claim 24 wherein the compressedgas comprises liquid carbon dioxide.
 26. A cleaning system for cleaninghair clippings from an electric shaver, said electric shaver having aninterior space in which hair clippings accumulate during operation, saidcleaning system comprising: a housing having an opening for receiving atleast part of a shaver therein; a shaver support in the housing forsupporting the electric shaver during operation of the cleaning system;a cartridge disposed at least in part within the housing and defining asource of cleaning gas for cleaning hair clippings from the interior ofthe shaver, said cartridge being removeable from the cleaning system forrefilling or replacement of said cartridge; and a gas delivery assemblyin fluid communication with the cartridge for receiving cleaning gasfrom the cartridge, said gas delivery assembly comprising at least onenozzle assembly configured and arranged for directing cleaning gasreceived from the pressure vessel to flow into the interior space of theshaver.